Wiener schnitzels are crunch-crusted and moist inside; paprikash (chicken or veal) is brightly spiced and luxurious; goulash is comfort-food supreme. I was especially smitten with Hungarian Lecso, a gorgeous length of smoked sausage served atop a stew of yellow peppers, tomatoes, and onions. And the potato pancakes? Fantastic! They arrive hot and crisp, the freshly-shredded spuds shot through with a subtle pepper kick. Chunky apple sauce comes on the side.

80% Approval Rating (5 votes)

Scorecard

Highlighted Reviews

"Tables are bare wood and place mats are paper, but a meal at Balaton is Old-World elegant. Located in a storefront that was once a men's clothing store, this beacon of great Hungarian food originally opened on Buckeye Road in 1964. The current location, since 1997, has ..."
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"The scored, smoked sausage atop this traditional Hungarian stew is delicious in its own right, all the better for its bed of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and dumplings."
Michael Stern

"In the kitchen, we watched potatoes being grated for these absolutely fresh potato pancakes. What's so especially good about them is the perfect texture balance: brittle crunch on the outside, just slightly al dente shreds of potato below that surface, and enough spud that has softened to buttery tenderness."
Michael Stern

"The flagship of the Balaton menu, wiener schnitzel has a fine crunch to its crust with a thick vein of juicy, ridiculously tender meat within. This full-size portion is immense. On the side, of course, are little dumplings in gravy, plus a cup of chunky apple sauce."
Michael Stern

"Invented by the great chef Joszef Dobos, the Dobos Torte is super-thin layers of sponge cake, fresh buttercream icing, and a crisp caramel crown: the Queen of Hungarian Desserts!"
Michael Stern

"Palacinke are thin crepes wrapped around your choice of filling for dessert. This one arrived warm with a lode of apricot jam inside."
Michael Stern

"The only beverage to accompany Dobos torte: rich espesso, served in a fine china cup."
Michael Stern

"There is nothing fancy about the corner storefront that is Balaton. It is a simple place with simply fantastic Hungarian food."
Michael Stern